Clematis plant named ‘EVIpo021’

ABSTRACT

A new  Clematis  cultivar which is well suited to propagation in glasshouses with a tall growth habit, profuse, pink flowers, and continuous summer flowering. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for cultivation in commercial glasshouses. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Botanical classification: Genus—Clematis. Species—viticella.

Variety denomination: ‘EVIpo21’.

Commercial classification: Early flowering cultivar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention constitutes a new and distinct variety of Clematiswhich originated from a controlled crossing between the female parent,‘Mrs. George Jackman’, a non-patented cultivar, and the male parent,‘Dr. Ruppel’, a non-patented cultivar.

The new clematis may be distinguished from its female seed parent, ‘Mrs.George Jackman’, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. Flowers of ‘EVIpo021’ exhibit pink tones while those of ‘Mrs.        Geroge Jackman’ are purely white.

The new clematis may be distinguished from its male pollen parent, ‘Dr.Ruppel’, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘EVIpo021’ has smaller flowers.    -   2. Flower color of ‘EVIpo021’ has less red coloration.

The seed resulting from the cross pollination of the parent varietieswas planted in a controlled environment. The resulting seedlings wereevaluated. The new variety, ‘EVIpo021’, was selected among thoseseedlings. The objective of the selection of this Clematis variety forcommercial glasshouse and nursery culture was to create a new anddistinct variety with unique qualities that this variety has:

-   -   1. Good repeat flowering habit.    -   2. Light pink flowers.    -   2. Suitable for small container culture.

These qualities required improvement in Clematis varieties that were incommercial cultivation and the objectives have been substantiallyachieved in the new variety, as evidenced by the unique combination ofcharacteristics that are present in ‘EVIpo021’ which distinguish it fromall other varieties of which we are aware.

The seeds from the aforementioned hybridization were germinated andevaluations of the resulting seedling plants were conducted in acontrolled environment. As a result, ‘EVIpo021’ was selected by RaymondJ. Evison and Mogens N. Olesen in their Clematis development program inDomarie Vineries Les Sauvagees, St. Sampsons, Guernsey, Channel Islands,United Kingdom in April 1998.

Asexual reproduction of ‘EVIpo021’ by cuttings was first done by RaymondJ. Evison and Mogens N. Olesen in Domarie Vineries Les Sauvagees, St.Sampsons, Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom in May 1998. Thisinitial and subsequent asexual propagations have demonstrated that thecharacteristics of ‘EVIpo021’ are true to type and are transmitted fromone generation to the next.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color illustrations show as true as is reasonablypossible to obtain in color photographs of this type:

FIG. 1.1 Juvenile growth;

FIG. 1.2 Mature leaves;

FIG. 1.3 Stem, leaves, bud at ¼ opening, bud closed;

FIG. 1.4 Open flower upper and lower view;

FIG. 2 Open flowers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of ‘EVIpo021’, as observed inits growth throughout the flowering period in glasshouses at DomarieVineries Les Sauvagees, St. Sampsons, Guernsey, Channel Islands, UnitedKingdom. Observed plants were cultivated for a period of 24 months in 2liter containers. Certain phenotypical characteristics of the varietymay vary under different environmental, cultural, agronomic, seasonal,and climatic conditions. Color references are made using The RoyalHorticultural Society (London, England) Colour Chart, 1995.

For a comparison, the nearest existing Clematis variety is ‘EVIpo017’,described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,163 and dated Sep.21, 2004. Chart 1 details several physical characteristics of ‘EVIpo021’and the comparison variety.

CHART 1 ‘EVIpo021’ ‘EVIpo017’ Tepal main Light Purple RHS Violet RHS85B.color 75D. Tepal Normally 6-10 Normally 6-10 arrangement/ outer tepalstepals arranged count with some inner regularly. petaloid stamens(semi-double).

FLOWER AND FLOWER BUD

-   Blooming habit: Recurrent. Flowering period normally Spring from    April to May. Flowering occurs again in Autumn from September to    October. Flowering may be continuous if vines are pruned    accordingly.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Size.—30 to 40 mm in length. Bud diameter is 20 mm.        -   Bud form.—Broad based ovoid.        -   Bud color.—Green Group 138C. Tepals are Red-Purple Group 75D            at ¼ opening.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Length.—60-90 mm.        -   Color.—Green Group 137C.        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Receptacle: Absent.-   Flower arrangement:    -   -   Location on vine.—New and old growth.        -   Borne.—Singly or in Clusters of 3-7 flowers.-   Flower bloom:    -   -   Size.—100-130 mm in diameter. 25 mm in depth.        -   Profile.—Upon opening: Flowers are flat. Open: Flowers are            flat with straight tepals.        -   Tepal color.—Upon opening: Upper surface is Purple Group 75C            with a darker bar Purple Group 75A in color. After opening:            Upper surface is Purple Group 75D with a central bar Purple            Group 75B in color. Lower surface about same as upper            surface.        -   Variations.—Uniform.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Lasting quality on plant.—10-20 days.        -   Lasting quality as a cut flower.—1-4 days.-   Tepals:    -   -   Quantity.—Usually single but on occasions semi-Double.            Average range is 6 to 10 tepals.        -   Size.—50-65 mm in length by 25-35 mm wide.        -   Shape.—Individual tepal shape is ovate.        -   Cross section.—Flat.        -   Margins.—Entire. Undulation of margin: Weak. Tepal apex:            Mucronate. Recurvature of tip: Slightly curved. Persistence:            Tepals drop off cleanly. Arrangement: Tepals are arranged            regularly when single and informally when semi-double.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—Open.        -   Pollen.—Quantity: Normal quantity. Color: Yellow Group 4D.        -   Anthers.—Size: 7-10 mm in length. Color: Red-Purple 72B            Group. Quantity: 80 to 90.        -   Filaments.—Color: White Group 155A. Length: 10 to 12 mm.        -   Pistils.—Quantity: 70 to 80.        -   Stigmas.—Inferior becoming superior in location relative to            the length of the filaments and the height of the anthers as            the flower opens.        -   Styles.—Color: Yellow Group 2D. Length: 12 to 18 mm.-   Seed head characteristics: Overall seed head is globular. Individual    seed: Size: 5 to 7 mm diameter at the base with a long 30 to 45 mm    plumule. Shape: Circular to tear shape with plumule.    -   -   Style appearance.—Feathery. 50 to 80 mm in length.

PLANT

-   Plant form: Climbing.-   Plant growth: Seasons growth attains 1.0 to 1.5 meters in height.    Average spread is 500 cm.-   Hardiness: Trials to date show the variety is tolerant to USDA cold    hardiness zone 4.-   Stems:    -   -   Color.—Young wood: Yellow-Green Group 144A, becoming            Greyed-Orange Group 173A. Older wood: Brown Group 200B.        -   Internodes.—Shape: Cylindrical. Length: 80 to 150 mm.        -   Surface.—Young wood: Smooth, slightly pubescent. Older wood:            Smooth.-   Plant foliage:    -   -   Leaf characteristics.—Deciduous.        -   Mature leaf form.—Simple or trifoliate. Normally 3 leaflets.        -   Compound leaf size.—150 to 200 mm (l)×80 to 120 mm(w).        -   Abundance.—Generally, there are 4 leaves per 80 to 150 mm of            stem.        -   Color of mature leaves.—Upper: Green Group 137B. Lower:            Green Group 138B.        -   Color of juvenile foliage.—Upper: Green Group 143A. Lower:            Green Group 143B.-   Plant leaves and leaflets:    -   -   Stipules.—Absent.        -   Perioles.—Average length: 60 to 90 mm. Color: Yellow-Green            Group 144A turning Greyed-Orange Group 173A. Clasping: By            leaf petiole.        -   Petioloule.—Length: 10 to 12 mm. Color: Yellow-Green Group            144A aging to Greyed-Orange Group 173A.        -   Leaf edge.—Terminal leaflet margin is entire. Lobes are            rounded.        -   Leaflet shape.—General shape: Ovate to elliptic. Base:            Rounded. Apex: Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Leaflet size.—55 to 70 mm in length by 30 to 45 mm wide.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Surface.—Upper side: Smooth. Lower side: Smooth.        -   Thickness.—Moderate.        -   Glossiness.—Moderately Glossy.-   Disease resistance: Subject to any disease that normally attacks the    species.

1. A new and distinct variety of clematis plant named ‘EVIpo021’,described and illustrated herein as a distinct and novel clematisvariety due to its abundant pink flowers with good keepability,attractive long lasting foliage and compact growth, year round floweringunder glasshouse conditions, suitability for production from softwoodcuttings in pots, durable flowers and foliage which make the varietysuitable for distribution in the floral industry.